Mega Rex
A Tyrannosaurus Named Scotty
by Dr. Scott Persons IV
illustrations by Beth Zairean
Harbour Publishing, 2020
ISBN 9781550717
$13.95, 128 pp, ages 9 – 12
harbourpublishing.com
What a fantastic book for the young scientist and budding palaeontologist! Mega Rex guides the reader through the fascinating discovery and reconstruction of dinosaur remains in the Saskatchewan badlands. Before one even begins reading, the textual design of this book is impressive. Full-page drawings, photographs, charts, and graphs accompany the prose in each chapter, continually keeping the reader engaged. One really neat feature is the explanation of scientific careers associated with palaeontology. Not only is the job of the “digger” examined, but also the “paleo artist” who renders depictions of dinosaurs through drawings, and eminent women scientists in the field who study food, diet, dung, and reconstruction of these amazing beasts. With an emphasis on proper scientific terminology, a glossary of terms is included at the back of the book.
Classroom Connections: Years ago some research showed that the two largest animals on Earth—dinosaurs and whales—were most interesting to younger people. In this regard, Mega Rex hits the mark. By writing about the amazing find of “Scotty,” Dr. Persons shows us that there is still a lot to learn in the field, and that women play a key role in the sciences. This book would be a great addition to the school library and in junior and intermediate science classrooms. What a great tool to inspire the next generation!
Review by Kent Miller.
This review is featured in Canadian Teacher Magazine’s Winter 2021 issue.
